Context: The Supreme Court has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to conduct an extensive survey of the entire tropical forest ecosystems of the Agasthyamalai landscape in the southernmost Western Ghats to identify non-forestry activities and encroachments.
Relevance of the Topic Prelims: Key facts related to Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
- The Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in the southern Western Ghats, spanning parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- It covers a combined area of 3500 sq. km. in both the states and is known for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems,
- Declared as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Key Facts about Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve:
- Protected Areas: It encompasses:
- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)
- Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)
- Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)
- Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu)
- Flora & Fauna:
- Home to many endemic species like lion-tailed macaque, slender loris, and great pied hornbill.
- Contains evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist-deciduous, tropical forests, and grasslands.
- Referred to as the cradle of traditional Indian medicine.
- Tribes: The reserve is home to Kani tribes from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- Major rivers originating from here: Thamirabarani, Karamana, and Neyyar.
- Cultural Significance: Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is named after Sage Agastya, a revered figure in Indian mythology.
What is a Biosphere Reserve?
- Biosphere reserves are large areas of Protected land for conservation of wildlife, plants and animal resources.
- It also conserves the traditional life of the people living in that area.
Divided into Three Zones:
- Core zone: Strictly protected for conservation.
- Buffer zone: Activities like environmental education, tourism, and research permitted.
- Transition zone: Sustainable economic and human activities allowed.
Three main functions of Biosphere Reserve:
- Conservation of Biodiversity and Cultural diversity.
- Ecological development that is socio, culturally and environmentally sustainable.
- Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training
Biosphere Reserves in India:
- There are 18 Biosphere reserves in India. 12 Biosphere Reserves are recognised under Man & Biosphere Reserve Program.
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme:
- Launched in 1971.
- Aim: To improve the relationship between people and their environments.
- Encourages interdisciplinary research, conservation, and sustainable development.
- As of now, over 700 biosphere reserves in over 130 countries are part of the network.